More than just Working Conditions; The Push to Unionize (and Radicalize) Butte, MT 1912-1920

Abstract

Radicalization changed Butte from a conservative coalition of miners to a “Gibraltar of Unionism” between 1912-1920. This presentation will examine how attitudes and societal factors forced the Anaconda Mining Company to Unionize. The evidence shows that fear of government intervention, consolidation of the Anaconda Company and fear of socialism led to the labor resurgence in Butte in 1917. The labor resurgence continued to affect Butte into the 1950’s and still has a major impact on the town.